ARTICLE
Clackamas County transportation staff is proposing a new residential Transportation System Development Charge (SDC) based on stakeholder recommendations for single family residential homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Importantly, the changes do not affect homes between 1,700 and 2,999 square feet. Homes smaller than 1,700 square feet will receive a 12.5% rate decrease. Homes 3,000 square feet or larger will see a 5% rate increase. Notably, the recommendations apply the County’s condominium/townhome transportation SDC rate of $2,802 (61% of the standard single family residential rate) for ADUs that measure between 450 and 900 square feet. This is a decrease from the previously applied rate of 70% of the single family residential rate. ADUs between 250 and 449 square feet would be charged half of this rate, or $1,401. All additions or detached units measuring 199 square foot or less would be exempt from the fee. The proposed fee structure is the result of stakeholder analysis that linked household-generated travel to dwelling size. This sort of tiered SDC is an increasingly common topic of conversation at the local jurisdictional level and HBA is monitoring these conversations to ensure they do not lead to higher housing costs. To weigh in on the recommendations, contact Roseann Johnson at roseannj@hbapdx.org. Previous Article